Selena Gomez is starting to take her health seriously after losing her kidneys to Lupus. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

Selena Gomez had a serious health scare that many of her fans may not realize when she underwent a kidney transplant sparked by Lupus. Now, she’s more aware of her health than ever and making changes in her life that will aid her health and well being.

The 25-year-old singer revealed that she has sworn off alcohol to avoid complications that could exacerbate her illness and her mental health.

Selena has battled anxiety and depression as well as lupus. She spent two weeks in January at the Privé-Swiss rehab facility in Connecticut to help her get focused on her health.

While it’s possible for people suffering from Lupus to drink alcohol in moderation, liquor can change the way the body metabolizes certain medications, rushing them into the bloodstream, according to the Lupus Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

“This can intensify both the good and not-so-good effects of medications. Alcohol can also interfere with good nutrition, causing the body to burn up some nutrients too quickly,” the Center states on its Web site.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) typically used to treat the disease can cause stomach and intestinal irritation. Alcohol can make it worse.

Selena threw a party last week for one of her friend’s birthdays at her home in California and banned everyone from bringing alcohol, a source told The New York Post.

Selena was forced to undergo her kidney transplant a year ago. Luckily, her best friend Francia Raísa proved to be a match, and she donated her kidney.

“A few hours after our surgery, I woke up and had a text from her that said, ‘I’m really scared.’ My kidney was very active, and when she turned, she broke an artery. They had to take [Gomez] into emergency surgery and get a vein from her leg and build a new artery to keep my kidney in place. She could have died.”

Selena and Raisa kept the operation secret until Selena was ready to go public with it. She broke the news on Instagram.

About The Author

Celebrity Health & Fitness

Keith Girard is Editor and Publisher of Celebrity Health & Fitness, a New York City lifestyle Web magazine devoted to health, fitness, diet, beauty and relationships. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of Billboard magazine and a reporter for the Washington Post among other media positions.